Propellantless Aerosol System

ABSTRACT

A propellantless aerosol fluid dispensing system including a reusable pressurizable canister and a disposable fluid containing pouch, the pouch including a valve assembly for dispensing the fluid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/058,770 filed on Oct. 21, 2013, which claims priority to ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/716,063 filed on Oct. 19, 2012, thespecifications of which are incorporated herein in their entirety byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

This invention concerns propellantless aerosol fluid dispensing systemsincluding a reusable pressurizable canister and one or more disposableliquid-containing pouches.

(2) Description of the Art

Current aerosol paint canisters—also known as “spray paint” - arepopular because of their ease of use. Conventional aerosol paintcanisters are sold in single use pressurized canisters. Single use spraypaint cans create waste disposal problems.

Because the cans are single use cans, they create a large volume ofwaste that must be disposed of. In some cases, disposal regulationsrequire that the cans be depressurized prior to disposal and/or becauseof their contents, the cans must be treated as hazardous waste each ofwhich increases disposal costs. Therefore, there is a need to developmore ecologically-friendly aerosol-based liquid dispensing systems thatare reusable and/or that produce smaller volumes of waste materialswithout compromising the primary benefits of aerosol systems which istheir ease-of-use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of this invention is a propellantless aerosol fluiddispensing system comprising: a container having a pressurizablechamber, the pressurizable chamber including a sealable opening and atleast one aperture; a pressurizing means for intermittently orcontinuously pressurizing the pressurizable chamber; one or morepressure-collapsible pouches each containing a dispensable fluidmaterial, the one or more pressure-collapsible pouches each having atleast one opening; a valve assembly associated with each of the one ormore pressure-collapsible pouches, the valve assembly comprising thecombination of a fitment, a valve and a nozzle wherein the fitment islocated in each pressure-collapsible pouch opening such that thepressure-collapsible pouch opening is sealed to the fitment such thatthe valve assembly valve and nozzle extend at least partially beyond thepressure-collapsible pouch; and a pressure resistant pouch seal.

Another aspect of this invention is a propellantless aerosol fluiddispensing system comprising: a container having a pressurizable chamberand a second chamber, the pressurizable chamber and the second chamberseparated by a wall, the pressurizable chamber including a sealableopening at one end of the pressurizable chamber; a cap associated withthe pressurizable chamber open end, wherein the union of the cap withthe pressurizable chamber open ends forms a pressure resistant cap sealand wherein the cap includes an aperture; a pressurizing means locatedin the second chamber for intermittently or continuously pressurizingthe pressurizable chamber; a pressure-collapsible pouch located in thepressurizable chamber, the pouch containing a dispensable fluid materialand an opening; a valve assembly including the combination of a fitment,a valve and a nozzle wherein the fitment is located in thepressure-collapsible pouch opening such that the pressure-collapsiblepouch opening is sealed to the fitment, the pouch being oriented in thepressurizable chamber such that one or more of the valve and nozzleextends beyond the pressure-collapsible pouch; and a pressure resistantpouch seal formed by the combination of the fitment and cap aperture.

Still another aspect of this invention is a propellantless aerosol fluiddispensing system comprising: a container having a pressurizablechamber, the pressurizable chamber including a first sealable opening atone end, the pressurizable chamber further including at least oneaperture having a second sealable opening; and a pressurizing means forintermittently or continuously pressurizing the pressurizable chamber.Yet another aspect of this invention is a disposable pouch comprising abottom;

side walls; and a top seam, the combination of the bottom, side wallsand top seam forming a sealed pouch capable of retaining a fluid whereinthe pouch has a single top opening and wherein the top opening includesa valve assembly.

In still another aspect, this invention is disposable pouch comprising:a substantially flat bottom; side walls; and a top seam having one ormore tapered seam portions, the combination of the bottom, side wallsand top seam forming a sealed pouch having a single top opening; and avalve assembly including a fitment, a valve and a nozzle wherein thefitment is located in the pressure-collapsible pouch opening such thatthe pressure-collapsible pouch opening is sealed to the fitment so thatone or more of the valve and nozzle extends beyond thepressure-collapsible pouch and wherein the fitment includes an extendeddiameter portion that is located inside the pouch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side cutaway view of an aerosol system of this inventionincluding a reusable container 10 and a disposable pouch 30;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cut-away aerosol system in which apouch 30 is installed in the pressurizable chamber 12 of reusablecontainer 10;

FIG. 3A and 3B are side cut-away and side perspective views of a valveassembly embodiment useful in conjunction with the paint systems of thisinvention;

FIG. 3C is a side cut-away view of a valve assembly embodiment where thevalve has been opened by pivoting the valve stem to permit fluid flow;

FIG. 4 is a view of components of the valve embodiment shown in FIGS.3A-3C;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of a pouch of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a view of the bottom of the FIG. 5 pouch embodiment after ithas been loaded into a reusable container of this invention;

FIG. 7 is an unassembled view of a pouch embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a side cutaway view of a valve assembly useful in thedisposable pouches of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembled valve assembly of FIG. 8without the fitment;

FIG. 10 is a front cut-away view of an embodiment of a propellantlessaerosol fluid dispensing systems of this invention without a pouch butincluding a valve assembly;

FIG. 11 is a view of a pressurization mechanism embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a reusable propellantless aerosol fluiddispensing system container embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a side cut away view of a cap useful in the aerosol fluiddispensing systems of this invention; and

FIG. 14 is a view through section-X—of FIG. 8 of lateral channels in thevalve assembly of FIGS. 8-9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to propellantless aerosol fluid dispensingsystems that dispense a fluid without the use of a propellantincorporated into the dispensable fluid. Instead, the systems of thepresent invention dispense fluid by applying pressure to the surface ofa pressure collapsible pouch containing a dispensable fluid where thepressure on the pouch urges fluid in the pouch to exit the pouch througha valve assembly that can be opened and closed. The fluid dispensingsystems of this invention are useful for dispensing a variety of fluids,such as paints, with a reduced environmental impact in comparison topropellant-based aerosol fluid dispensing systems while retaining thesame ease of use as propellant-based aerosol dispensing systems. Whilethe present invention will be discussed in the context of its use inconjunction with paints, the invention is equally suitable for usedispensing fluids that are currently dispensed in aerosol systems thatemploy mixtures of an aerosol driven fluid plus propellant. Non-limitingexamples of such fluids include hair spray, aerosol cleaning andpolishing compounds such as furniture wax, silicon and oil spraylubricants, shaving cream, air fresher, deodorants and the like fluids.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2 there are shown views of an embodiment of apropellantless aerosol system of this invention. The system generallyincludes a reusable container 10 and a pouch 30. Container 10 includes apressurizable chamber 12 having a cap 16 including and an aperture 17.Container 10 may include an optional second chamber 14 which may bepressurizable or non-pressurizable. One possible purpose of secondchamber 14 is to provide a site in which to locate components of or anentire pressurization apparatus that is used to pressurize pressurizablechamber 12. However the pressurization apparatus does not need to beentirely or even partially located in an optional second chamber 14 thatdirectly abuts pressurizable chamber 12. Instead, a second optionalchamber—if one is used—may be located remotely from container 10 whereit can be associated continuously or intermittently with firstpressurizable chamber 14, via a conduit or by directly associating apressurization apparatus such as a cylinder of pressurized gas withpressurizable chamber 12 via one-way valve.

First pressurizable chamber 12 includes a cavity 13 that is sized tohold one or more pouches 30. Another alternative purpose of firstpressurizable chamber 12 is to provide a cavity 13 that is capable ofbeing pressurized and/or that is capable of holding pressure when one ormore pouches 30 are located in first pressurizable chamber 12.

In order to accept pouch 30, pressurizable chamber 12 will include anopening 40 having a size sufficient to accept one or more pouches 30. InFIGS. 1-2, pressurizable chamber 12 has a top opening 40 and includes acap 16 that is associated with and removable from the top opening 40.Cap 16 includes an inside perimeter that includes an O-ring 25 thatallows cap 16 to be press fit into or over opening 40 such that apressure resistant cap seal is created between cap 16 and opening 40.

Cap 16 may be associated with first pressurizable chamber 12 in anymanner known in the art that forms a pressure resistant or pressuretight cap seal. For example, cap 16 can be press fit into the open endof first pressurizable chamber 12 as shown in FIGS. 1-2, it can bethreaded into the open end of first pressurizable chamber 12, it can bewelded to first pressurizable chamber 12 and so forth. What is importantis that when cap 16 is engaged with pressurizable chamber 12, no or verylittle pressurizable fluid in the pressurizable chamber leaks from theseal formed by the union of cap 16 and opening 40 at normal operatingpressures.

In other embodiments, container 10 will not have a removable cap 16.Instead, the cap 16 will be permanently attached to pressurizablechamber 12 in which embodiment pressurizable chamber will instead have aremovable bottom, a removable side door or some other removablestructure(s) that allows the user to place one or more pouches 30 insidefirst pressurizable chamber 12 and to remove and replace the one or morepouches 30 in pressurizable chamber 12 when the one or more pouches areempty. In addition, the structure—removable cap, door etc . . . —used toprovide access to the inside of pressurizable chamber 12 in order toplace one or more pouches 30 in or to remove one or more pouches 30 frompressurizable chamber 12 should have a pressure resistant seal that,when engaged with pressurizable chamber 12, forms a seal that allowspressurizable chamber 12 to be pressurized with a pressurizable fluidwhen one or more pouches 30 are located within the pressurizable chamber12. Also in this embodiment, the user will still need to be able to forma second seal where valve 34 of pouch 30 protrudes through an aperture17 in container 10.

Pressurizable chamber 12 will include an aperture 17 through which valve34 of pouch 30 is directed. In FIGS. 1-2 and 10, aperture 17 is part ofcap 16 which is engaged to opening 40 of container 10. However, thelocation of aperture 17 is not io critical and aperture 17 may belocated on any of dimension of container 10 that places nozzle 36 ofvalve 34 in an optimal user position. For example, aperture 17 can beassociated with a wall of pressurizable chamber 12 or with a portion ofor an end of container 10 that does not contain pressurizable chamber12. Container 10 may include a single aperture 17 or multiple apertures17 to allow for multiple pouches 30 to be located in pressurizablechamber 12 such that at least a portion of valve assembly 100 thatincludes nozzle 36 of each pouch protrudes from container 10 in a usefulorientation. If multiple pouches are simultaneously placed inpressurizable chamber 12, then the apertures can be located in anyconfiguration that allows the nozzle 36 associated with each pouch to beaccessible to the user. For example, cap 16 can include three spacedapart apertures 17 through which nozzles 36 of each of three differentpouches 30 protrude.

Container 10 may take on any useful shape. For example, container 10shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 10 is cylindrical in shape. The cylindrical shapeis chosen primarily to ensure that the pressure applied to the walls ofpressurizable chamber 12 when the chamber is pressurized is evenlydistributed around pouch 30 and across the pouch's surface area. Thecross-sectional shape of container 10 is not critical and can be anyuseful shape such as triangular, square, pentagonal and so forth thatmakes it useful. In addition, container 10 does not need to have aconstant cross-section over its length and can, instead be, for example,spherical, oval, conical or any useful three dimensional shape.

As noted above, pressurizable chamber 12 is intended to be pressurizedand it should remain pressurized while in use. Any pressurizing meansknown in the art to intermittently or continuously pressurize a smallcontainer may be used. For example, pressurizable chamber 12 may bepressurized with an external pressurized fluid source such as apressurized gas from a gas cylinder or compressor or hydraulic fluidfrom an external hydraulic fluid source. In one embodiment, a mechanicalpressurization source may be used. Examples of mechanical pressurizationsources include, but are not limited to air pumps, spring loadedpistons, and the like. A mechanical pressurization source, such as handactivated air pump, may be separate from container 10 in which case itwould be intermittently or continuously attached to container 10 by aconduit or it may be built into container 10.

Container 10 may optionally include a relief valve. The relief valve maybe located anywhere on container 10 that allows it to be easilyaccessible by the user, and that allows for the easy release of pressurefrom pressurized ball chamber 12. In FIG. 10, a relief valve 19 islocated on container cap 16. Depressurizing pressurizable chamber 12allows cap 16 to be easily removed and facilitates the swift exchange ofpouches in pressurizable chamber 12.

Container 10 in FIGS. 1-2 also includes a wall 15 separatingpressurizable chamber 12 from second chamber 14. In one embodiment, wall15 can be a movable wall such as a piston having a one way valve thatallows the user to pressurize first pressurizable chamber 12 by movingwall 15 towards first pressurizable chamber 12 like an air pump. Inanother embodiment, wall 15 is fixed, and it separates pressurizablechamber 12 from second chamber 14.

Second chamber 14 of the device shown in FIGS. 1-2 may but need not bepressurized and includes a compressor 18, a power source 20, a load cellor transducer 22, a switch 24, wires 26 associating the power source 20with the compressor 18, and wires 28 from load cell 22 to switch 24which is located on the bottom 23 of container 10. In one embodiment acircuit board including one or more of the wiring, switches, load cell,processor, and other device components may be located in second chamber14. The combination of these elements forms an embodiment of apressurization means that is useful to pressurize and maintain thepressure in first pressurizable chamber 12 when the propellantlessaerosol system is in use.

In order to pressurize first pressurizable chamber 12 in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1-2, switch 24 is flipped to the on position therebyactivating compressor 18 which is powered by power source 20. Powersource 20 may be any power source that is useful for powering theselected pressurizing mechanism. Examples of useful power sourcesinclude, but are not limited to, direct electrical connections,batteries, solar cells and so forth. In one embodiment, power source 20is a replaceable or rechargeable battery.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, compressor 18 operates to directcompressed air through aperture 27 into first pressurizable chamber 12.A transducer 22 monitors the pressure in pressurizable chamber 12 and,when a set pressure is reached, the transducer 22 causes compressor 18to shut off. If the pressure in first pressurizable chamber 12 dropsbelow the transducer set point, then transducer 22 will activatecompressor 18 to increase the pressure in first pressurizable chamber 12until the pressure set point is reached.

The pressurization equipment described immediately above allows for theautomated pressurization of first pressurizable chamber 12. However, theinvention is not limited to automated pressurization equipment ortechniques. In other embodiments, first pressurization chamber can bemechanically pressurized by, for example, using an integral pump asdescribed above. In another embodiment, an external pump such as abicycle pump or an external compressor hose can be used by associatingthe pump or external compressor with a one way valve—such as a tirepressure valve—that is integral to first pressurizable chamber 12. Inyet another embodiment, first pressurizable chamber 12 can bepressurized using a hose associated with a pressurized gas canister orby using hydraulic fluid pressurization techniques. In anotherembodiment, a small replaceable gas canister can be located in secondchamber 14 and directly associated with first pressurizable chamber viaa pressure control valve. In still another embodiment, a pressurizationapparatus may be intermittently associated with first pressurizablechamber 12 to pressurize the chamber. Indeed, the pressure control offirst pressurizable chamber 12 can be continuous or intermittent meaningthat the pressure can be continuously controlled or alternatively, thatthe pressure of first pressurizable chamber 12 can be increased on an adhoc basis when the user notes that the stream of fluid from nozzle 36 isreduced in velocity or intensity.

A pouch 30 is located in first pressurizable chamber 12 when the systemis in use. Pouch 30 is a sealed pouch that has a valve assemblyincluding a fitment 32, a valve 34 and a nozzle 36. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1-2, a single pouch 30 is located inside pressurizablechamber 12 with its valve 34 passing through aperture 17 such thatnozzle 36 is located outside of container 10. Fitment 32 includes and/orwill, in conjunction with cap 16 and/or aperture 17 create a pressureresistant pouch seal 29 that prevents pressurized fluid from escapingfirst pressurizable chamber 12 through aperture 17. Fitment 32, valve 34and nozzle 36 are generally selected from nozzles and valves used incurrent propellant driven aerosol cans. However, in the presentinvention, pressure acting on the surface of pouch 30—and not apropellant—drives the fluid contained in pouch 30 through fitment 32,valve 34 and nozzle 36 when nozzle 36 is manipulated in a manner thatopens valve 34.

One valve that useful in the propellantless aerosol systems of thisinvention is shown in FIGS. 3A-3C and 4. FIGS. 3A and 3B are front andperspective cut away views of the valves when it is sealed. FIG. 3Cshows the valve when the valve has been opened by tilting the valveassembly. FIG. 4 is a side cutaway view of the valve including the valvecomponents. The valve shown operates like most aerosol valves thatactuate by bending the valve stem. The valve assembly 100 is associatedwith pouch 30 and passes through and is secured within an aperture incap 108. The valve includes, among other elements a fitment 102, abiasing spring 104, and an O-ring 106 is located where the valve isassociated with pouch 30. An elongated valve stem 110 emerges fromfitment 102. Valve stem 110 is surrounded by a valve housing 112. At thetopmost part of housing 112 is an actuator 114 that is enlarged in sizeto allow the housing to be manipulated by the user. Fluid passages 117are located within valve housing 112 in space not occupied by actuator114. An aperture 116 lies at the topmost portion of valve housing 112and a needle 118 at the topmost portion of valve stem 110 occupies theaperture 116 and forms a valve top seal 111. A valve bottom seal 122 islocated at the bottom portion of stem 110 adjacent to fitment 102.

In operation, as shown in FIGS. 3C, a user moves valve housing 112 awayfrom vertical thereby causing valve stem 110 to move from a verticalposition. The movement of valve stem 110 from a vertical position to anon-vertical position causes needle 118 to move out of aperture 116which breaks valve top seal 111. The pivoting of stem 110 away fromvertical also causes the valve bottom seal 122 to unseat therebyallowing fluid from pouch 30 to enter fitment 102, pass through fluidpassages 117 and out aperture 116. The further that stem 110 is movedfrom vertical, the greater the opening and the greater the volume offluid that can pass from pouch 30 through aperture 116.

An alternative embodiment of a pouch useful in the propellantlessaerosol systems of this invention is shown in FIGS. 5-7. Pouch 30 ismade of a pressure malleable material that forms a closed containerholding fluid 302 and including opposing walls 322, 324, an opening 31and a bottom 325. Pouch 30 is preferably made of a material that cancollapse under pressures of from about 10 to about 50 psi. Suchmaterials include, but are not limited to polymer films, metal foils andmetal foil polymer film combinations.

Bottom 325 of pouch 30 may take on any shape. It may be convex, concave,flat and so forth. When pouch 30 contains fluid containing particulates,then a bottom 325 that is substantially flat is useful to allow forbetter mixing of the fluid contents and/or to prevent particles in thefluid from agglomerating in wrinkles and folds. The term “substantiallyflat” refers to a pouch bottom having at least 50%, preferably at least80% and most preferably at least 90% of the surface area of the bottomof the pouch being coplanar with a planer surface upon which the pouchlies.

The perimeter of the pouch can take on any useful shape. In pouch 30,perimeter includes two parallel vertical seams 303 and 305 and a topseam 307 broken by opening 31 a portion to all of which is perpendicularto vertical seams 303, 305. Bottom 325 of pouch 30 is flat and typicallydoes not include a seam. The intersection of the vertical seams 303, 305with top seam 307 can form a right angle or it can be angled to form onor more tapered top section s 309 where the seam tapers upwards from thetop of one or both of vertical seams 303, 305 upwards towards opening31. A tapered top section 309 can be formed by creating a seam or it canbe formed merely by folding over a top corner of the pouch along a foldline (not shown)

FIG. 7 is an unassembled view of a malleable material sheet 320 that isformed into pouch 30. Sheet 320 includes two opposing walls 322 and 324and a flat bottom portion 325. Each wall includes opposing verticalseams portions 326. Vertical seam portions 326 run uninterrupted alongthe edges of walls 322, 324 and bottom 325 of sheet 320. Walls 322 and324 further include a top edge 328. Top edge 328 includes opposingtapered seam portions 330 and 332 and a central portion 334 that isoriented perpendicular to walls 322, 324. It should be noted that theterm “tapered seam portion” includes tapered portions that do notinclude seams as the term is intended to encompass pouches with one ormore tapered top sections—sections where the pouch perimeter tapers atan upward angle from the walls towards the valve assembly. Pouch 30 isassembled from sheet 320 by folding sheet 320 at folds 336 and 338 tobring opposing walls 322 and 324 together and thereafter sealing theopposing seams to together to form vertical seams 303 and 305. Inaddition, opposing tapered seam portions 330 and 332 are broughttogether and sealed. The seams can be sealed by any means know in theart such as by using an adhesive material or by heat welding the seamstogether. The resulting pouch 30 will include a sealed perimeter and asingle opening 31 that includes central portion 334 of opposing walls322 and 324 which is not sealed.

To complete the pouch a fitment 102—either alone or part of a valveassembly is located in opening 31 and the top edges 328 of the pouchthat define central portion 334 are sealed to the fitment sealingsurface 402. Again top edges can be sealed to fitment sealing surface402 using any means known in the art such as by using an adhesive, heatwelding or sonic welding.

Fitment sealing surface 402 and/or at least a portion of the fitment 102that is located within pouch 30 can have an extended diameter orextended diameter portion 404 that has an effective diameter (thelargest distance across the fitment if the fitment cross-section is notcircular) that is large enough to prevent the inside wall portions ofthe pouch in the vicinity of fitment 102 from moving towards one anotherduring use to such an extent that the flow of fluid into fitment inlet408 is reduced or blocked. During use, fluid pressure in pressurizablechamber 12 will, when fluid is flowing out of pouch 30, compress pouch30. As pouch 30 compresses, opposing walls 322 and 324 move towards eachother. The extended diameter portion 404 of fitment 102 prevents walls322 and 324 from inhibiting flow of fluid into fitment inlet 408. In oneembodiment, the fitment seal diameter and/or the fitment extendeddiameter portion will have a diameter that is from about 1X to about 2Xor more greater than diameter of the pouch opening.

A side cutaway view of an embodiment of valve assembly useful in thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 8 a perspective view of the valveassembly without the fitment is shown in FIG. 9. In FIGS. 8-9, the valveassembly includes a fitment 102 having a sealing surface 402 to whichthe inside wall of pouch opening 31 is sealed.

Sealing surface 402 can have an extended diameter and/or it can furtherinclude an extended diameter portion 404. Fitment 102 further includes aconduit 406 including an opening 409 through which fluid can flow whenpouch 30 is exposed to an external fluid pressure source. A housing 410having a first end 412 and a second end 414 is associated with fitment102 such that housing first end 412 is located in fitment conduit 406.Housing 410 also includes a first O-ring recess 416 for holding O-ring418 and a second O-ring recess 420 for holding O-ring 422. O-ring 418seals and retains housing first end 412 in fitment conduit 406.

Housing 410 further includes a central conduit 424 that is complementaryto fitment conduit 406 such that fluid passes from the pouch into andthrough fitment conduit 406 and through housing central conduit 424.Alternatively, fluid can enter laterally from fitment conduit 406 intohousing central conduit 424. Housing 410 also includes threads 426 orsome other attaching mechanism to allow cap 16 to be reversibly attachedwith and to form pressure resistant pouch seal between valve 24 and cap16. Housing 410 includes two opposing quarter turn threads 426 that areassociated with complementary threads 510 in cap 16. Threading cap 16towards housing 410 creates a pressure resistant pouch seal between cap16 and the pouch valve assembly 34 at O-ring 420. Other sealingmechanisms or means know in the art may be used to sealably unite cap 16with valve 34. For example, pouch 30 of FIG. 5 includes an O-ring 340that allows aperture 17 of cap 16 to press-fit onto the valve assemblyto form a pressure resistant pouch seal.

A biasing spring 428 is partially or fully located in an aperture 430 inhousing second end 414. A needle mechanism 432 having a base 434including an aperture 435 and a needle 436 is associated with housingsecond end 414 such that aperture 435 fits over biasing spring 428.Needle 436 passes through an aperture 438 and into stem 440 where thetapered end 437 of needle 436 is urged by biasing spring 428 to blockoutlet 439 of mechanical break up nozzle (MBU) 452. A cap 442 having afirst open end 444 and a second end 446 having an opening that is largeenough for a portion of the stem 440 to pass through is sealed tohousing second end 414 thereby compressing biasing spring 428 and urgingneedle 436 into MBU outlet 439. A gasket 449 is located inside cap firstopen end in order to seal cap 442 against housing second end 414. A stemcollar 450 is placed over the portion of stem 440 that extend beyond cap442 and an MBU 452 having a central aperture 454 through which end 44 ofstem 440 passes is associated with the stem 440 and stem collar 450 suchthat the MBU is at the end of the valve assembly. Finally, an optionalshipping cap (not shown) can be placed over the valve.

The valve shown in FIGS. 8-9 operates similarly to the valve show inFIG. 4. The user presses stem collar 450 and/or MBU 452 to pivot thestem away from vertical. As stem 440 moves away from vertical, theliquid seal created by tapered end 437 of needle mechanism 432 beingurged into outlet 439 is broken allowing fluid to flow through the valvemechanism exiting the valve assembly at outlet 439.

FIG. 14 is a view through section X of a portion of the valve assemblyshown in FIGS. 8-9 that includes lateral flow channels. The lateral flowchannels function in conjunction with the housing central conduit tochange the direction of flow of fluid passing through the valve. In FIG.14, two lateral channels 462 and 464 direct fluid from fitment conduit406 into central conduit 424 of housing 410. The valve assembly mayinclude one, two or more than two lateral channels. The lateral channelscan be oriented with their outlets directed towards the center ofcentral conduit 424 or the outlet can off center as shown in FIG. 14.The lateral channels aid in causing the fluid traveling up centralconduit 424 to swirl as it exist the valve assembly and the devicethereby promoting mixing of the fluid mixture and inhibiting fluid deadspots in the valve assembly.

In the valve/fitment embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-3C the valve assemblyincludes an optional valve bottom seal 122 at the valve bottom. Thevalve embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-9 does not include valve bottom seal.Instead, the tapered end 437 of needle 436 provides the only liquid sealby being urged by biasing spring 428 into central aperture 439 of stem440 to block fluid flow when the valve assembly is in a verticalorientation.

FIG. 10 is a front cut-away view of an embodiment of a propellantlessaerosol fluid dispensing systems of this invention without a pouch butincluding the valve assembly. In FIG. 10, container 10 includes a firstpressurizable chamber 12 and a second chamber 14. Cap 16 includes apressurizable cap seal (a threaded connection 50 and O-ring 52 thatseals opening 40 of pressurizable chamber 12. Cap 16 also includes acentral aperture 17 through which the valve assembly 100 associated withpouch 30 (not shown) is directed. Cap 16 further includes a pressureresistant pouch seal 29 that includes a threaded connection 54 andO-ring 56 that creates a pressurizable seal around the valve assembly.Cap 16 further includes a relief valve 19.

An especially useful cap 16 is shown in FIG. 13. The cap 16 of FIG. 13is a two piece cap including a first cap portion 202 and a second capportion 204. The first cap portion 202 includes aperture 17 havinginternal threads 206 that engage with threads 426 of the valve assemblyto form the pressure resistant pouch seal. The seal can be formed by theuser holding the pouch and rotating first cap portion to engage thethreads and index the first cap portion until O-ring 340 seals againstthe bottom inside surface 208 of aperture 17.

Once the pouch is attached to cap 16 and a pressure resistant pouch sealis formed, the pouch, bottom first, is dropped into opening 40 topressurizable container 10 until threads 210 on the inside surface ofthe second cap portion 204 engage threads 58 on the outside surface ofpressurizable chamber opening 40. Since first cap portion 202 and secondcap portion 204 can rotate independently of one another, second capportion 204 can be partially or fully threaded onto opening 40 withoutrotating the pouch that is attached to first cap portion 202. Second capportion is threaded onto opening 40 until the opening 40 abuts O-ring 52on second cap portion 204 to form a pressure resistant cap seal. Whencap 16 is fully engaged with opening 40, first cap portion 202 andsecond cap portion 204 will include a cap seal 212.

A pressurizing means for pressurizing the pressurizable chamber islocated in second chamber 14 of container 10. The pressurizing means,shown in FIG. 11, is a battery-operated compressor along with associatedconduits and control elements and includes a compressor 18. Also shownis an inlet conduit 222 having an inlet 200 on an external surface ofcontainer 10 and an outlet 226 at the compressor inlet. The compressorincludes an outlet conduit 230 having an inlet 211 at the compressoroutlet and an opening 40 into the pressurizable chamber. Outlet conduitfurther includes a second static outlet 234 that is associated with loadcell 236.

In this embodiment, second chamber 14 is not be pressurized. Thisreduces the total volume of container 10 that must be pressurized andprovides for speedier pressurization of pressurizable chamber 12. Uponactivation, compressor 18 pressurizes container 10 to a set pressure atwhich time load cell 236 detects the set pressure is reached and causescompressor 18 to be turned off. As long as the device remains on, loadcell 236 will continue to monitor system pressure. If the systempressure falls below the set pressure, then compressor 18 is activatedto pressurize pressurizable chamber 12. The automatic activation anddeactivation of compressor 18 continues as needed so long as the loadcell 236, compressor 18 and associated control electronics remain on andpowered.

FIG. 12 is a schematic of an embodiment of the bottom of container 10showing optional device control features. The control features include acharge port 300 for associating a rechargeable battery located in secondchamber 14 with an electricity source to recharge the battery. Alsoshown is a power button 302 for turning the pressurizing mechanism on oroff. A ready light 304 indicates, in green for example, that the deviceis pressurized and ready to use. An error light 306 indicates, in redfor example, that there is a problem with the device such as a problemwhen pressurizing the pressurizable chamber. Finally, a batteryindicator 308 provides the user with visible information about thebattery such as battery power level and/or an indication, for example byblinking, when the battery is being charged. Any other useful controlfeatures can be added to the container of this invention. For example, aport can be added to the container to allow a user to easily program amicroprocessor associated with the control electronics to operate thecontainer at different pressures. A bar code reader can be built intothe container to allow the device to automatically set the containerpressure based upon reading a barcode or some other indicator associatedwith a pouch being placed in the container.

The control electronics will typically be placed on a circuit board thatis located in second chamber 14 along with the pressurizing device(s)and control mechanism(s). The control electronics may include, forexample, a processor for controlling the compressor to maintain a setpressure in pressurizer both chamber 12, for controlling the readylight, the error light, the battery power indicator and for controllingany other desired features of the device. For example, the controlelectronics can turn itself off if the device has been sitting idle fora defined period of time.

The container 10 of this invention may be made of any materials that canbe formed into a pressurizable container. Because container 10 isintended to be used over and over again, the material should be durable.Examples of useful container materials include metals, plastics andfiber reinforced resin materials such as glass fiber filled nylon. Inone embodiment, the container can include a portion, such as the cap,this is made from transparent plastic or glass to allow the user to viewthe pouch inside the container. This can be useful where the pouch isalso transparent and the color of paint inside the pouch can be viewedor where the pouch is colored or otherwise coded to provide a visibleindication of its contents.

The pouches of this invention are intended to hold any type of fluidthat is capable of being driven by pressure through a valve or nozzlethat is useful in conjunction with the pouch. The fluids can behomogeneous fluids or heterogeneous fluids that require shaking aremixing before use. In addition, the fluids can contain particulatematerials such as pigments, resins, texturizing components, fillers andthe like. In one embodiment, the pouches of this invention containpaints, dyes, stains and/or varnishes which optionally includeparticulate materials.

It will be understood that the present invention has been describedabove purely by way of example, and modification of detail can be madewithin the scope of the invention.

1. A propellantless aerosol fluid dispensing system comprising: acontainer having a pressurizable chamber and a cap, the combination ofthe pressurizable chamber and the cap forming a pressure resistant capseal, the cap further including at least one aperture; a pressurizingmeans for intermittently or continuously pressurizing the pressurizablechamber; a pressure-collapsible pouch containing a dispensable fluidmaterial and comprising a valve assembly, the pressure-collapsiblepouches having at least one opening; the valve assembly comprising thecombination of a fitment, a valve and a nozzle wherein the fitment islocated in pressure-collapsible pouch opening such that thepressure-collapsible pouch opening is sealed to the fitment such thatthe valve assembly valve and nozzle extend at least partially beyond thepressure-collapsible pouch and wherein the fitment includes an extendeddiameter portion that is located inside of the pouch so as to preventinside wall portions of the pouch in the vicinity of filament frommoving towards one another to an extent to inhibit flow during use; anda pressure resistant pouch seal.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the pressurizable chamber has a singleaperture.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the container includes asecond chamber adjacent to the first chamber.
 6. The system of claim 5wherein the pressurizing means is at least partially located in thesecond chamber.
 7. The system of claim 5 wherein the pressurizing meansis located entirely in the second chamber.
 8. The system of claim 5wherein a wall separates the pressurizable chamber from the secondchamber.
 9. The system of claim 5 wherein, in operation, the secondchamber is not pressurized.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein thepressurizing means is a battery operated compressor.
 11. The system ofclaim 10 wherein the pressurizing means includes a load cell formonitoring the pressure of pressurizable chamber wherein the compressoris activated and deactivated based upon load cell pressure readings. 12.The system of claim 1 wherein the fitment of the at least one pouchunites with the at least one aperture to form the pressure resistantpouch seal.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein the fitment includes athreaded end and the at least one aperture includes complementarythreads wherein the pressure resistant pouch seal is formed when thepouch fitment is threaded into the at least one aperture.
 14. (canceled)15. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one pouch has a flatbottom.
 16. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one pouchincludes one or more tapered seam portions.
 17. (canceled)
 18. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the cap is a two part cap including a firstcap portion and a second cap portion.
 19. The system of claim 18 whereinthe first cap portion engages with the valve assembly fitment to formthe pressure resistant pouch seal and the second cap portion engagedwith the container sealable opening to form the pressure resistant capseal.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the first cap portion andsecond cap portion move independently.
 21. The system of claim 1 whereinthe valve assembly includes at least one lateral flow channel.
 22. Apropellantless aerosol fluid dispensing system comprising: a firstassembly including: a container having a pressurizable chamber and asecond chamber, the pressurizable chamber and the second chamberseparated by a fixed wall, the pressurizable chamber including asealable opening at one end of the pressurizable chamber; a capassociated with the pressurizable chamber sealable opening, wherein theunion of the cap with the pressurizable chamber sealable opening forms apressure resistant cap seal and wherein the cap includes an aperture; apressurizing means located in the second chamber for intermittently orcontinuously pressurizing the pressurizable chamber; and a secondassembly including: a sealed pressure-collapsible pouch including apouch and a valve assembly located in the pressurizable chamber, thepouch containing a dispensable fluid material and an opening; a valveassembly including the combination of a fitment, a valve and a nozzlewherein the fitment is located in the pressure-collapsible pouch openingsuch that the pressure-collapsible pouch opening is sealed to thefitment, the pouch being oriented in the pressurizable chamber such thatone or more of the valve and nozzle extends beyond thepressure-collapsible pouch; and a pressure resistant pouch seal formedby the combination of the fitment and cap aperture.
 23. The system ofclaim 22 wherein the wherein the pressurizing means is a batteryoperated compressor and includes a load cell for monitoring the pressureof pressurizable chamber wherein the compressor is activated anddeactivated based upon load cell pressure readings.
 24. (canceled) 25.The system of claim 18 wherein the first cap portion engages with thevalve assembly fitment to form the pressure resistant pouch seal and thesecond cap portion engaged with the container sealable opening to formthe pressure resistant cap seal. 26-47. (canceled)